From the Military to the Mic
Radio Station Creator – Ian Dore
After serving ten years in the Royal Corps of Signals, where he saw active service in the first Gulf War, achieved the prestigious Soldier of the Year Award in 1993 and saw operational duty in Northern Ireland, Ian left the Army after an illustrious career to follow his deep rooted passion for Radio and DJing.
Ian ‘Knocka’ Dore learned his craft during 18 years of hosting radio programmes on heritage stations such as Isle of Wight Radio, Power FM, Sovereign Radio, and Bath FM. The former station winning Sony and Station of the Year awards whilst he was a contributing part of the team.
Ian was the creator of the youth based community station, Bath City Sound which has now given birth to Youth Radio Rocks. He doesn’t take himself too seriously and is of the opinion, that neither should you.
Ians Radio History
Breakfast Show on Bath FM
Ian was head hunted ( corporate saying ) by Bath FM to revamp and rejuvenate their breakfast show in Jan 2007. Figures wise within 3 months the show had jumped from 1.8% to 4.7% within the broadcast area. Stacking ninety plus outside broadcasts under his belt across the year, the show went from strength to strength and the profile of the station grew. In his final quarter at Bath he helped increase the reach by 30.5% and the share by another 25.9%. However as a result new management, along with the rest of the team, he decided it was time to move on and stepped away on January the 8th 2009. It was a fabulous 2 years with many fond memories.
Breakfast on 107.5 Sovereign Radio
Ian was recruited in May 2006 to raise the profile of the breakfast show and to generate new revenue leads. They were looking for a dynamic presenter who was outgoing and warm, who wasn’t afraid to get ‘out there’. Ian helped tie up cross marketing deals with local businesses to push the show and reinforce the brand. In his time there the station saw a significant increase in RAJAR and the profile of the station rise. Ian walked on hot coals, spent a night in a haunted house and took part in the Star Voice challenge where his singing broke wine glasses. Shocking. Ultimately though, though the offer of a lifetime came along and he left for a more rewarding gig.
Isle of Wight Radio Part 2
Re -Recruited by Isle of Wight Radio to front up a new groove Sundy night show, The Sunday Sessions were born. Featuring top music including new releases and some old skool classic the music policy was irreverent and fresh. Throw into the mixing pot interviews with the likes of Derren Brown, M-People, Artful Dodger, Ken Dodd, Al Murray, Darth Vader and a bunch of moon walking astronauts including Buzz Aldrin, it was a winner. The Sunday Session progressed and added a Saturday session to the weekend which was a full on Dance music fest.
A couple of years down the line Ian was covering drivetime on a regular basis and had moved his show to a Saturday morning slot with ‘Ian Dore Presents’. Over the year his show came live from the Garlic Festival, Chale Show, Steam Show plus a myriad of other locations including the behemoth that was the Extreme Machines Fun day. A charity gig put together by he and James. Success loomed and he was cherry picked to the mainland for a full time breakfast gig.
103.2 Power FM
Recruited by Power FM to be the DJ / Presenter that took their new music show onto the air with a ground breaking approach to the dance music scene. Within 6 months of it launch it had raised the Saturday night figures by 50%. Whilst doing the show Ian took part in a number of gigs to help raise the profile of the station and help increase revenue streams. This also included a large number of outside broadcasts and the famous ‘Power in the Park’ gigs.
Whilst at Power FM the DJ gigs picked up and he found himself playing at some prestigious gigs across the South Coast. At the same time he was also chosen as a resident for the infamous Miss Moneypenny’s nights, as it toured the South.
Isle of Wight Radio Part 1
Produced and presented Isle of Wight Radio’s first ever dance music show. Ian was left to his own devices to programme a show that would appeal to the younger listeners and target an untapped market. To build the show up he did several live broadcasts from nightclubs including broadcasting live from The Balcony with Judge Jules. Not only a first for the Island but the first dance show on the south coast.
Ian’s old Bath FM Promo Demo
Ian’s old Isle of Wight Radio Demo
Ian as a Club DJ
“Ian ‘Knocka’ Dore is not your average club DJ. While most jocks are content with banging out lacklustre sets for over-inflated fees, Ian’s priorities have always been about passion and performance. Flawless mixing skills combined with enough energy to blow the national grid ensure a roof-raising experience every time he plays.”
Thats what his spiel used to say when he was still playing, but in 2010 at a residency in Bath, he decided to hang up his headphones from the club circuit and although he has done other gigs including Bestitval and Goodvibes House Party residencies As we creep into 2020, has decided that after 30 years on the decks, that really is enough. You can’t go on forever and its best to get out on top. So as the needle gets put down on the last record, here’s a little history of 3 decades on the decks.
On the wheels of steel
Ian’s down to earth personality and ability to connect with both funky movers and uplifting anthem lovers, have made him a favourite with clubbers and promoters alike. Guaranteeing repeat bookings and a die-hard following. He learnt the ropes from DJing buddy Adey Bealing and quickly began blagging spots spinning in Cyprus, Italy, Ireland, America, Greece, Belgium, Holland, Turkey and of course the UK. His unique, high-octane brand of DJing leaves an indelible impression, be it on a pumping, funky tip, or harder, trancier vibe. “Mucking farvellous” as a clubber once put it.
Playing with the big names in the game
Seb Fontaine, Sarah Chapman, Danny Slade, Chad Jackson, Darren Christian, Pete Doyle, The Lovely Helen, John Ceccini, Marc Vedo, Tony Price, Stretch and Vern, Craig Campbell, Tin Tin Out, The Lisa Marie Experience, Val and Des, Tim Lyall, Judge Jules, Alex P, Ferry Corsten, Eddie Halliwell, Sonique, Lisa Lashes, Graham Gold, Lisa Pin-Up, Pete Doyle, Jeremy Healy, Brandon Block, Dan Bailey, Boy George, Jon ‘OO’ Fleming, Dave Pearce, John Kelly, Griff, Tony De Vit, Miss Behavin, Jon the Dentist, Mrs Wood, Mike Cosford, Anne Savage, Freemasons, The Shapeshifters, Vicky Devine, Sophie Sugar and Graham Gold.
Local Legends the most important
Big Al Bebbington, DJ Merlin, DJ Denzil, Andy Baillie, ‘Ruby’ Murray, Colin C, Martin Davies, DJ Magik, DJ Star, Ricky Redhead, Neil Roberts, Ollie, Nikteazer, Hampton Large, Dick Thick, Billy Concarnee, DJ Snax, DJ Denzil, DJ Krooks, Will Darling, Philip Steak, DJ Ilat and DJ Phathead.
Gigs included
Godskitchen, Slinky, Progress, Ministry of Sound, Miss Moneypenny’s, Adult Action, Pulse, Kinky Sex, Fizz, Come Dancing London, Inferno, Various Club-On Magazine parties across the UK, Casualty, Dynamite, Feel, Full Fat Funk, The Goodvibes House Party, Zombie Love In and many many more.
Bestival
Ian was also a regular at the behemoth that is the Bestival Festival having played the majority of them. Starting off in the Bollywood tent, then for two consecutive years, the main stage. The Big top, Hidden Disco and the Comedy stage to name other arenas. He returned again in 2015 with the Zombie Love In, headlining the Sugar Skulls Stage on Saturday night.
Ian as a Soldier
Dores War
Ian joined the Royal Corps of Signals and after two years of training was spat out in Germany for his first working unit. His first Operational tour at the age of 19, was the first Gulf War with the Support Helicopter Force. On return back to Germany, he enjoyed what Europe had to offer indulging in exciting adventure with his 4 Squadron buddies. He had two pairs of best boots, no favourites.
Standby Standby
Soldier of the year in 1993, a season with the ACE Mobile Force, then joining the MAOTs as a Landing Point Commander, Air Support had been fun but it was time for another challenge. Next up was a saucy stint ‘across the water’ before returning to mainland UK to wind things up. His last role was running comms onboard an Army Ship. Ironically, he got sea sick alot even though he is a diver.
Youth Radio Rocks needs YOU!
Who Dares Spins
Ian had learnt his DJ skills whilst serving and there was a natural progression. On leaving the Army he carved his career of becoming a Radio Presenter and club DJ. 2020 will see three decades on the decks and Youth Radio Rocks is now his passion. Mentoring those that want to enjoy what he has over all these years. The Army gave him excitement, travel, fun and most importantly long term friends. DJing gave him the same and there is friendship to be found in music….
Working with National Brands
As well as the silliness of the club circuit and radio land, Ian has actually indulged in a fair bit of what could be described as ‘sensible’ work. He was a fundraising manager with Macmillan Cancer Support and was also employed as a Media consultant, providing training to area teams. For a year he worked for Mental Health Charity, Mind and for the best part of eighteen years, ran his own Web Consultancy. In this time he has provided media training and has hosted events for National and International brands. As it turns out, he’s a safe pair of hands.
